Roland Garros warns players against making pro-Russian statements during event
ATP
Amelie Mauresmo, the Roland Garros Tournament Director, said the competition would welcome Russian and Belarusian players in 2022, but would not accept any pro-Russian gestures during the tournament.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the sporting world reacted by banning Russian and Belarusian athletes and teams from events.
In tennis, Wimbledon organizers announced their decision to ban competitors from the two nations from the 2022 event, a move that has caused contention among WTA and ATP players.
However, Roland Garros organizers followed the lead of the ATP, WTA, and ITF by allowing Russian and Belarussian players to compete at the event. As a result, high-profile players like Aryna Sabalenka, Victoria Azarenka, and Daniil Medvedev are set to compete at the 2022 French Open.
When speaking about the decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at the Roland Garros, Mauresmo admitted that the situation has many challenges. However, the former WTA number one also highlighted the fact that tennis players should allow individuals to compete at the competition.
"It’s very complicated, probably there is no fair decision to take. We have thought a lot, and I have the impression that there is no fair decision, one way or the other. We are in line with what European sports ministers – and other countries – decided in March, we do not welcome teams but individual athletes."
While Mauresmo said the French Open would welcome individual players from Russia and Belarus at the 2022 finals, she gave a stark warning to anyone who supports the war in Ukraine.
During her press conference, the former French player said punishments would be handed out to anyone who reflects pro-Russian sentiment at the Roland Garros.
"Obviously if an athlete speaks in the press for example and supports Vladimir Putin, sanctions will be taken.”
The 2022 French Open gets underway on Monday, May 22, and Novak Djokovic and Barbora Krejcikova will look to defend their respective titles at the clay-court Grand Slam.
However, the two reigning champions will face strong competition in the 2022 edition. Currently, 2020 Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek is the top seed ahead of the main draw, while Paula Badosa is the second seed, and the title holder Krejcikova is third.
In the men's competition, Djokovic will enter as the top seed and the leading favorite to win again in Paris, but a strong field of Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, and Rafael Nadal will also be in contention.
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